R R

What Is Haldol?

Haldol is a brand name associated with haloperidol, a conventional antipsychotic. The short-acting Haldol brand is no longer marketed in the United States, although generic haloperidol products are available. Haldol Decanoate is a separate, long-acting injection used for schizophrenia in certain adults.

Link to This Resource Page

Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.

To display this...

What Is Haldol?

Haldol is a brand name associated with haloperidol, a conventional antipsychotic. The short-acting Haldol brand is no longer marketed in the United States, although generic haloperidol products are available. Haldol Decanoate is a separate, long-acting injection used for schizophrenia in certain adults.

read more about haldol ...

Copy this HTML:

Copy HTML Copied!

How Haldol Works

Haloperidol changes dopamine signaling in the brain. This can help control symptoms of psychotic disorders. Its effects and dosing depend on whether a short-acting or long-acting formulation is used.

Haldol and Haldol Decanoate

Short-acting haloperidol can be taken by mouth or given as an injection. Haldol Decanoate is injected into a muscle, usually every four weeks. A clinician establishes the long-acting dose after the patient has taken a stable dose of immediate-release oral haloperidol.

Possible Side Effects

Haloperidol can cause sleepiness, restlessness, stiffness, or involuntary movements. Serious reactions can include a high fever with rigid muscles or an abnormal heart rhythm. Seek medical attention promptly for severe movement symptoms, fainting, or fever with marked stiffness.

Warnings and Monitoring

Antipsychotics, including haloperidol, carry an increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Haldol Decanoate is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis. Tell your clinician about heart rhythm problems and all other medicines you take.

Frequently Asked Questions About Haldol

Is Haldol the same medicine as haloperidol?

Haldol is a brand name associated with haloperidol. The formulation matters when comparing a short-acting product with Haldol Decanoate.

Is the short-acting Haldol brand still sold in the United States?

MedlinePlus lists the branded short-acting product as no longer on the market. Generic haloperidol products remain available.

What is Haldol Decanoate?

It is a long-acting haloperidol injection used for schizophrenia in adults previously stable on oral haloperidol. A healthcare professional gives it into a muscle.

Is Haldol approved for dementia-related behavior problems?

No. Haloperidol products are not approved for dementia-related psychosis and carry a warning about increased mortality in older adults with this condition.

References

Haloperidol. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682180.html. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Haloperidol. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560892/. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Haloperidol (intramuscular route) - Side effects & uses. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/haloperidol-intramuscular-route/description/drg-20072783. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Haloperidol (oral route) - Side effects & dosage. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/haloperidol-oral-route/description/drg-20064173. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Haloperidol Injection. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a615023.html. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.